by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

OXNARD, Calif. -- Brandon Moore won't be returning to the NFL after all.

One day after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, the veteran guard has decided to retire, a person with knowledge of the decision told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday morning.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision hadn't been announced.

Moore, 33, played in 144 games (142 starts) over 10 seasons with the New York Jets. His contract expired after last season.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke with reporters Tuesday evening after the conclusion of his team's practice, and hinted that the team would be making a move on the line very quickly. He said Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones had been working on a free agent deal via phone during Dallas' practice, the first session back in Oxnard after the Cowboys played in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday in Canton, Ohio.

Moore could have made an immediate impact to the Cowboys' offensive line, where veterans Nate Livings and Mackenzie Bernadeau are dealing with injuries. Second-year player Ron Leary played the entire game against the Dolphins on Sunday, something that is nearly unheard of in the preseason, while rookie first-round pick Travis Frederick played at both center and guard.

"It does have to do with having a young group," Jones said. "But it would have more to do with the availability of the player that we bring in. If we bring in a substantive veteran, it will be about him, more than a couple other things."

Moore worked out for the Cowboys in May but left without a contract. He gained unwanted notoriety last season when he was involved in the most embarrassing play of the year -- the buttfumble -- when New York Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez fumbled after running into Moore's behind in a Thanksgiving night game against the New England Patriots.